Medfield State Hospital, Mental health historic district in Medfield, United States.
The Medfield State Hospital Historic District covers 128 hectares with 44 buildings in Queen Anne style, arranged symmetrically around a central green. The abandoned structures with their tall windows and weathered facades now stand empty and attract photographers and history enthusiasts.
The site opened in 1892 as a psychiatric facility and served for over a century treating mentally ill people from Massachusetts. The closure came in 2003, after approaches to treating mental illness had changed fundamentally.
The cemetery on the grounds preserves the memory of patients who once lived and died here, their names now recorded on simple stones. Many of these graves were marked only with numbers for decades, until a local project restored the identities of those buried.
Access to the grounds is possible during daylight hours, with visitors expected to remain in outdoor areas as the buildings are sealed and not accessible. Those wishing to view the architecture or walk through the green spaces will find enough room for a quiet circuit.
The site has hosted several films, including scenes for well-known thrillers and horror productions that made use of the somber atmosphere of the abandoned buildings. The empty corridors and decaying rooms offered directors an authentic backdrop for stories about isolation and decline.
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